Pacific Theater Advisory Council (PTEC) visits Yokosuka schools. During the week of May 20, 2002, the Pacific Theater Advisory Council visited Kinnick HS, Yokosuka MS, Sullivans ES and Ikego ES, Japan, prior to their annual meeting with the Director, DoDDS Pacific. PTEC is the advisory council for USCINCPAC in DoDDS Pacific. Its primary function is to review and act on recommendations from component commands, and from the DoDDS Pacific Director's Advisory Council and/or District Advisory Councils.

Pacific Area Advisory Council meets. Dr. Nancy Bresell, Director, DoDDS Pacific, met with Area Advisory Council (AAC) members on May 23, 2002. Topics addressed included school accreditation visits, summer school, home schooling, staffing and the high school initiative, the community strategic plan, AP courses and teacher training, technology education initiatives, the space available enrollment policy, and budget restoration. The Council is comprised of Pacific military command representatives, parents, students, civic organization leaders, educators, administrators, and members of the Director's Office.

Two Kadena AB schools considered tops. Two schools, Bob Hope Primary School, and Kadena Middle School, Kadena AB, were cited as being among the top 1% of the 10,000 schools by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI). The overall appraisal of the quality of school improvement for the 10 Pacific schools visited was that DoDDS Pacific was comparable to the higher performing American school districts.

Pentagon schools on 60 Minutes. On April 21, 2002, 60 Minutes featured a story lauding "Pentagon Schools" for narrowing the achievement gap between minority and white students. A sense of focus on education, safe schools, and disciplined classrooms have been attributed to student test scores being some of the best in the nation. Student science scores on the 2001 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) revealed exceptional scores for minority students. DoDDS Black/African American students ranked second in grade 4 and first in grade 8; Hispanic students ranked second in grade 4 and second in grade 8. DDESS Black/African American students ranked first in grade 4 and second in grade 8 and Hispanic students ranked first in grade 4 and first in grade 8.

School Advisory Committee (SAC) end-of-year reports due June 15. DoD Instruction 1342.15 requires that each SAC prepare an end-of-year report that states its goals and objectives, identifies areas of special interest, assesses its achievements and concerns, and makes recommendations to improve the educational program. Reports are completed and signed by the committee chairperson, and furnished to the school principal, district superintendent, director and component command via the installation commander

DoDDS Pacific team goes to Harvard. A team of six individuals, including personnel from the DoDDS Pacific Education Division, the deputy director, superintendents, and a classroom teacher representing DoDEA on the Overseas Dependents Schools Committee for the NCA, has been accepted to a two-week Harvard Institute for School Leadership entitled, "Leadership and Teaching for High Standards." The institute will allow the team to explore school improvement, standards, accountability, and leadership, which will provide valuable references for strategic planning for SY '02-'03 and beyond.

DoDDS Pacific specialists present at national science convention. Two DoDDS Pacific Curriculum and Instructional Support Specialists, were selected to present a session on inquiry in science education at the National Science Teachers Association annual convention in San Diego, CA. Science educators from around the world participated in this event which offered opportunities for networking and professional development.